Research The Mongolian Pagba Text Visual Design

The character of [Phags-pa] was the character ever used by Yuan Dynasty in China and was abolished in the wake of the downfall of Yuan. So far, many the researching activities regarding [Phags-pa] are all from philological and historical perspective, few from the angle of Visual Design. This article firstly analyzes [Phags-pa], such an ephemeral character in the history, in the respects of concept, function, historical value, culture and aesthetics; secondly proceeding with its structure, extracts elements in the character that are helpful to design and thinking, e.g., encryption, decoration, calligraphy, etc., attempting to combine its signal characteristic with the visual design, so as to expand the scope of character design. Lastly, by analyzing the research outcomes made by the designers inside and outside of China, endeavors to find out a method facilitating the design of [Phags-pa], and to enlarge the periphery of the basic studies on Mongolian characters, and by virtue of the principles existing in [Phags-pa]'s composition and aesthetic conceptions to improve the designs, and to provide valuable reference for Mongolian character design by unique interpretation from designer's point of view. Moreover, author also hopes this article could drive designers' attention to the design of ethnic characters.